If you enjoy Hawaii’s gorgeous lush foliage and tropical plants, a visit to Queen Liliuokalani, last reigning monarch of the Hawaiian Islands, should definitely be on your list of things to see and do while on the Big Island of Hawaii. The gardens span some 30 acres and have huge banyan trees, pathways, pagodas, ponds and bridges to make your stroll around the lush gardens both enjoyable and memorable. The garden is located next to Coconut Island just off of Banyan Tree Drive. Take the road past the hotels and turn right toward the ocean. The gardens will be on the left with a gorgeous view of Hilo Bay sprawling before you. Wander over the footbridge to Coconut Island while you are there.
Liliuokalani Gardens in Hilo, HI
If you like Hawaiian history, be sure to stop by the National Historic Landmark, Pi’ilani Heiau in Kahanu Gardens on Maui. This is an ancient sacred place believed to be one of the largest remaining structures in Hawaii. The Heiau is approximately 3.8 acres in size and 50 feet tall and was strategically placed to give a good view of any approaching ships or canoes coming into the harbor. The gardens are also a wonderful place to explore and enjoy the beautiful Hawaiian flowers and lush forest. Open Monday through Friday from 10 A.M. to 2 P.M. with a cost of $10 for adults. Children may enter the gardens at no charge. To get to the gardents, take highway 360, east towards Hana. The garden is on the left past the Hana Caverns near mile marker 31.
Kauai is known as the “Garden Isle” since it receives abundant rainfall. Indeed there is an abundance of formal tropical botanical gardens to enjoy on the Emerald Isle. There are 3 formal gardens to enjoy on Kauai which are a part of the National Tropical Botanical Garden collection in the islands. Two other gardens are part of the National Tropical Botanical Garden holdings, one is Kahanu Gardens on the Hana coast of Maui and the Kampong Garden located on Biscayne Bay in Coconut Grove, Florida. The McBryde Garden is located on the south shore in the Lawa’I Valley. In addition to the lush tropical flora found in this gorgeous collection of tropical flora and fauna, you will also find more unusual plants in the Canoe Garden such as chocolate, allspice and ginger. The McBryde Garden is open daily. A 15 minute tram ride from the Southshore Visitor Center and the Garden is required with the first tram leaving at 9:20 A.M. and the last tram leaving at 2:30 P.M. Cost for adults is $20 and $10 for children 12 and under. The garden walk is a one-mile walk but allow 1 ½ to see and enjoy the garden. Most walks are unpaved or grass and there are stairs in the garden. Be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes, long pants and a hat. Mosquito repellent and bottled water is also advised for this hike. Call the garden Visitor Center for info on handicapped accommodations.
Also located in this beautiful valley is Allerton Garden which lies between the Pacific Ocean and the McBryde Garden. This garden was a favorite place of Hawaii’s Queen Emma and it is easy to understand why she enjoyed this beautiful place. Allerton garden, fed by the waters of Lawa’I Stream, contains many wonderful plant varieties as well as waterfalls, pools and fountains. Statues grace the grounds giving this garden the feel of a European formal garden. The garden is open Monday through Saturday from 8:30 A.M. to dusk. A 15 minute ride from the Visitor Center on a tram is required with the first tram leaving at 9 A.M. and the last one leaving at 2 P.M. The paths are also unpaved or grass and contain many stairs. The same recommendations for clothing apply here as for the McBryde Garden. Cost for adults for entrance and transportation to this garden is $45 for adults with the cost for children between 10-12 is $20. Children under age 10 are not allowed on this tour. Allow approximately 2 ½ hours for the enjoyment of this garden. Book at least 72 hours in advance of when you want to take the tour at the National Tropical Gardens website. You can also book a private tour of the Allerton estate (Allerton Sunset Tour) where you can see not only the estate itself but also the guesthouse where such famous people as Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis stayed in this gorgeous locale. The tour ends with hors d’ouevres on the patio at sunset. Cost for this tour is $60 for adults and $30 for children between the ages of 10-12. Again, no children under the age of 10 on this tour.
The final garden that you can tour and enjoy on Kauai is the Limahuli Garden and Preserve. This verdant valley is located on the north shore between the Pacific and Makana Mountain. Behind the Limahuli Garden is the Limahuli Preserve which is home to many of Hawaii’s tropical birds and mammals. Self-guided tours take place Tuesday through Saturday from 9:30 A.M. to 4 P.M. with a guided tour at 10 A.M. The self-guided tour from the Limahuli Garden Visitor Center requires about 1 ½ hours and entails a ¾ mile walk on a loop trail. The trail can be steep in some areas so again the same recommendations for clothing and supplies apply on this trail. The guided tour lasts for 2 ½ hours. The Self-guided tour costs $15 for adults with children 12 and under free. The guided tour cost is $30 for adults and $15 for children between the ages of 10-12. No children under the age of 10 are allowed on the guided tour. Guided tours are not always offered on Saturdays so check with the organization for information.
